Woody Strode

Birth Name: Woodrow Wilson Strode

Date of Birth: July 25, 1914

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Death: December 31, 1994

Place of Death: Glendora, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: African-American, possibly other

Woody Strode was an American actor, decathlete and football player, and author. He is known for his roles in the films The Ten Commandments (1956) and Spartacus (1960). He played for the Hollywood Bears, the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL), and the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was one of the first African-Americans in the NFL after WWII.

Woody was the son of Rosa (Norris) and Baylons/Bayliss/Baylous Strode. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was African-American, and was said to have Creek, Blackfoot, and Cherokee Native American ancestry. It is not clear if Woody having these Native American lineages has been verified/documented.

Woody was married to Princess Luukialuana Kalaeloa, also known as Luana Strode, until her death, and then to Tina Tompson, until his death. He had two children, including television director Kalai Strode, with Princess Luukialuana.

Woody’s paternal grandfather was named George Washington Strodes/Strode. George was born in Louisiana.

Woody’s paternal grandmother was named Lucy Ann Prather/Israel. Lucy was born in Louisiana.

Woody’s maternal grandfather was born in Virginia.

Woody’s maternal grandmother was born in Louisiana.

Sources: Woody Strode on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Woody’s father on the 1880 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Marriage record of Woody’s paternal grandparents, George Washington Strodes/Strode and Lucy Ann Prather/Israel – https://familysearch.org